Congress will start process to make Rahul Gandhi chief on Monday

Party leaders say though it is not necessary to convene a formal meeting of the CWC to approve the schedule of the presidential election, Sonia Gandhi has chose to get the approval of the party's highest decision-making body.

Earlier, all state units and frontal organisations such as the Youth Congress, the Mahila Congress and the Seva Dal unanimously passed resolutions declaring Rahul Gandhi as their president.

Congress general secretary Ambika Soni, while speaking to India Today, credited the success of the entire campaign in Gujarat and opposition campaign on Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation to Rahul Gandhi.

"It's a matter of few days when we'll have our new party president".

The latest development comes in the backdrop of the Congress party's much-awaited working committee meeting on Monday.

Praising the former prime minister, Mr Pawar said Rajiv Gandhi was a visionary leader.

According to The Indian Express, party sources claim that Rahul might take over the reins of the Congress before 9 December, when the first phase of Gujarat polls will be held.

Dates for filing of nomination, their scrutiny and withdrawal will be notified, and ballots to be issued (if required) and date of polling will be decided. The date of organisational poll is December 8 and counting is on December 11.

Rahul Gandhi's elevation looks a mere formality as numerous state units of the Congress have passed resolutions in support of Rahul Gandhi taking over as the new party president.

However the meeting is indeed necessary because completing the organisational elections - the date of which was extended to December 31 by the Election Commission - is a priority for the party right now.

Friday forecast: Warm with patchy drizzle this morning
The exception to this will be along the western slopes as upslope snow showers get going as colder air rushes in behind the front. The colder air will likely generate a band of lake effect snow for parts of CNY early Sunday evening through Sunday night .